Mercedes-Benz India has ruled out a C Class with a lengthy wheelbase.

Mercedes-Benz India struck gold with the introduction of its long wheelbase (LWB) E-Class in 2017

with the additional rear-seat room and comfort providing it a significant advantage over competitors

[{"selector":"#anim-0b34ac68-e333-49b8-a3ad-8ab7b58c7005","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f86a8ecd-4669-4637-b871-3c278982ccea","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Despite its success, the LWB treatment was not applied to the smaller C-Class, and Mercedes-Benz India

[{"selector":"#anim-29a833a5-3b73-4c48-bae2-73d36ebccedb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b51b59cc-8f50-416a-9dc9-60b3f16eab24","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Despite a price increase with its new generation, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has proven

[{"selector":"#anim-a63ad20d-23f1-498f-9ad8-989953f226ca","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-59f87d9c-15f8-412f-84ed-8f0b55ce6740","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

While some of this may be ascribed to the winding down and discontinuance of the GLC

[{"selector":"#anim-1846354b-0da2-4bb4-86e8-3e62ddbb7a62","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d2c235a-7b47-4314-85bf-bb9baf776d47","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

it came in close behind the E-Class as Mercedes India's second bestselling model in FY2023.

[{"selector":"#anim-478faf6f-a734-494a-9d5e-ef836b21bf45","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8465c3e1-a6c1-406f-8e5a-34f5f592eec9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

To put the notion of extended sedans into context, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship has always been sold

[{"selector":"#anim-b41322e7-81ac-42d8-8ff0-56be680242ee","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da83b87d-efe0-4436-924e-38539d48e1cd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Long wheelbase versions of smaller cars, and even certain SUVs, have thrived in the Chinese market for years.

[{"selector":"#anim-8dd67786-33cb-4d51-8a01-fb62533aa938","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6fb2032d-90ee-489c-9f5a-228766036955","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]